Christmas has a meaning for everyone and each concept is usually coloured by an individual’s religious backgrounds and beliefs. However for the Christian believer this is the truth of Christmas.
We must start at the beginning when God gifted the world to man. When man (Adam & Eve) disobeyed God he loved them so much he wanted to give us a second chance at life. In order to accomplish this great feat he had to absorb our guilt (aka sin). For a God that is holy, just and perfect cannot communion with that which is not. So in order to bridge the gap between man and himself, he sent us his Son, Jesus.
He could have come in power and glory and had us worship him in fear and trembling, but that would not have accomplished his purpose of wanting to communion with those who chose to love him and follow after him. And so Jesus was sent as God in the flesh; in an unassuming way, as a baby. From this humble position Jesus was born and taught us the true meaning of a relationship with God. He was not only our sacrifice but also our example of how to relate with our heavenly father. These two things were necessary, to satisfy the father, and also as a substitute for us as those who seek after God. God needed someone to take the blame for all of the sin in the world and a perfect wrath needed a perfect sacrifice. And we needed an example of how to walk with the father in a human way, daily and with humility and obedience. Both of these criteria were fulfilled in this tiny baby boy.
Despite the fact that many have different beliefs around Christmas, it is still hard to find someone who does not know the name of Jesus. People often admit that he did live, which is why I find it strange that they are not more curious about his beginnings. Never the less this note is about what Christmas means to me.
It is very much a reminder and remembrance that our creator loved us so much that part of him became a baby and then a man and then a sacrifice so that if we so choose we may be a part of his Kingdom. Only in heaven can such a thing happen where the population gets to choose their ruler and king. As one of his subjects I have the honour to break bread with my creator and every first Sunday of the month is communion a remembrance of the death and resurrection of Christ. Just like communion Christmas is the yearly reminder of the beginning of that hope as the cross was the completion of our salvation.
Just like the father rested after the creation of the world, Jesus after his ascension into heaven, sits at the right hand of God affirming that our redemption is complete and available to all who believe in his name. Salvation is now for the asking and the biggest cause for a time of celebration, and joy. Christmas was the first announcement that the long awaited saviour, and messiah came to the earth to set the world back into order and repair the damage done by man so long ago.
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